Who Will Win It? Handicapping by Steve Wolf

OK…we made up for prior losses last week picking four of seven winners and hitting three cold exactas. Now that we are back on a roll it is time to rally with some long shots. Weather could be a big factor so make sure to take that into account before wagering.

This weekend we have seven races spanning the East with three at Woodbine, three at Yonkers and one at Pompano. No Meadowlands until after the Super Bowl. Good luck!

$10,000 Pace Open Handicap Pompano Park

3rd race Saturday – With Prairie Jaguar not in the race it becomes much more competitive. I think Northern Companion, despite being handicapped with the outside post eight is the horse to beat in here. Even being 0 for 3 in 2014 is not a factor as this one is rarely ever out of the money. He has great closing speed, can go first-over and with any live cover will be flying at the end of the mile. Use Thebestofjoel and Electric Lad in exotic plays.

$20,000 Trot F/M NW/$150,000 Life Woodbine

3rd race Saturday – Two races in a row I am trying my luck with horses in the eight-hole. Samira Hanover came up short with not much trot last week which was totally uncharacteristic of her. Gets Scott Zeron in the sulky and should be able to return to her winning ways. Use Magic Will Work and Standing My Ground in exotic plays.

$33,000 Pace Open Handicap Yonkers Raceway

6th race Saturday - Both Bettor’s Edge and Money Twitch A were sharp winners in their last start but because they have drawn posts 8 and 7 respectively I am going with another return winner in Lumberjack Willie. Won in this class last out off perfect two-hole trip. May not have good inside post like last week but prior starts show he has a knack for working out trips and winning. Use Bettor’s Edge and Money Twitch A in exotic plays.

$22,000 Pace NW/$18,000 Last 5 Starts Woodbine

6th race Saturday – I like his name, I really like his morning line odds and I like that fact that he is moving up in class again after two straight wins. Bold Decision has the rail in a very tough field but last two starts in tough conditions he just goes to the front and wins for fun. Will be high in odds but either cuts the mile again or gets great cover to win off of. Use Thorn In Your Side and Wazzup Wazzup in exotic plays.

$22,000 Pace NW/$32,000 Last 6 Starts Yonkers Raceway

8th race Saturday – I really like it that Yonkers puts on extra distance races as it mixes it up and makes for tougher handicapping. Tonight we have two return winners from 1 1/16 mile races that I think shows they could be a touch better than the morning line says. I like Life Up Front who has won his last two starts at extra distances and can win from either on or off the pace and shows he can win at a mile too. Use Escape The News and Nob Hill High in exotic plays.

$28,000 Pace NW/$28,000 Last 5 Starts Woodbine

10th race Saturday – After decent try in Preferred class last week, Grande Seelster drops and will hopefully pop as he did two starts back. He won then on the front end from post seven with ease. Gets Randy Waples in the bike as Sylvain Filion has his own horse in the race who is also a contender. Use Mystician and McKinney in exotic plays.

$20,000 Pace N/W $25,000 Last 6 Starts Yonkers Raceway

11th race Saturday – Returning from a brief layoff, Glass Prince was solid in his qualifying race. He is leaving the claiming ranks to go into this Conditional event, which is actually moving up in class but I think from an inside post he shows he can get the job done even if he has to grind it out. Use Shortstacked and Hypnotist in exotic plays.